Saved by the Gospel

Truth can be described as that which is true, meaning that which conforms to reality.  It’s a fact.  It’s not false.  At a time when many deny the existence of an absolute truth it is good to remember the words of Jesus, recorded in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  In John 17:17

Jesus’ words remind us that absolute, definite truth does exist.  Truth is not relative to what one certain individual may think.  Jesus’ words remind us that the truth is knowable.  They remind us that something is recognized as true, or not true, according to God’s standard and not man’s. In searching for truth, it’s a serious mistake to look toward the thoughts or opinions of men. Look to the scriptures, for it’s only there that you will find the truth, the truth that is able to save.

Isaiah wrote, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20. 

Isaiah’s words certainly apply to our day, do they not? Men marrying men, women marrying women, drag queen shows for young children at public libraries. Yet many want to describe these things as good.  Those who speak out against such behavior are often called  unloving and unkind.  But it’s never unloving nor unkind to help bring a person out of their sin and back to God.

Even those within the Lord’s church may, over time, fail to recognize these things for what they are – sinful behavior that separates man from God.  Romans chapter one indicates those who give their approval to this behavior are also guilty.

Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Do you want to be wise when you are older? Of course, you do!  That’s a silly question to even ask, isn’t it?  Maybe.  But wisdom doesn’t come automatic to a person just because he, or she ages.  In Proverbs 2:2, the wise man wrote, “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding.” Notice the words, make, incline.  Obviously there is some intentional effort involved.

A key part of becoming wise when you are older is listening to sound advice when you are younger.  In Proverbs 19:20 we read, “Listen to advice

In Matthew 18:8-9, Jesus said, “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”

Did Jesus really mean for us to cut our hand off?  Or our foot? Or pluck out an eye? 

Whatever your cares or troubles in life, God wants you to hand them over to Hm.

Few verses from the Bible are more misunderstood than I Peter 4:17-18. “For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

The phrase, “And if the righteous scarcely be saved” has caused many to question whether heaven is really achievable for them. They begin to doubt their own salvation. When we look at this verse in the context of the book of I Peter, we learn the judgement of which Peter writes is not the final judgement at Christ’s second coming but rather the judgement God would bring upon Jerusalem in AD 70.

In regard to the judgment of all men that will take place at the end of the world, Peter wrote “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you ABUNDANTLY into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:11.

A home in heaven requires diligence on our part. It requires effort. It requires counting the cost. But, because of what God has done for us, it IS reachable! You can do it!

Many people, in an effort to prove a person can be saved from his sins without being baptized, go to the penitent thief on the cross as an example. Oh, without a doubt, the thief was saved. When the thief said to Jesus, “Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom,” “Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” There’s no question the thief was saved. But to say we can be saved from our sins without being baptized because the thief was saved without being baptized is incorrect for several reasons.

There's one real need that everyone of us have in common.  Without this, none of us will be able to stand before God come judgment day.  Without this, none of us can ever hope to have a home in heaven.  I'm talking, of course, about God's forgiveness.

Preaching to the spirits in prison.  What could this possibly mean?   Peter 3:18-20 may be one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible.  But, when given the necessary time and thought, it can be understood!

Where do you look to find Jesus today? Where is he? No, that’s not a trick question. It’s a simple question with an easy answer. But, before we answer that question, we’re going to take a few minutes to see where different people have looked for Jesus in the past.